Cultural Resource Survey and Site Evaluations Proposed River Moore Farm Development Site, Development Area 2, Gwinnett County, Georgia

A Phase 1 cultural resources survey of the proposed River Moore Farm Development Site (Development Area 2 - 71.9 hectares) in Gwinnett County, Georgia was conducted to locate and identify cultural resources within the project area and assess resource significance based on National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria (36 CFR Part 60.4). Eight archeological sites, one cemetery, and one isolated find were detected during the field survey of Development Area 2. Six of the sites and the one isolated find yielded prehistoric artifacts. Components represented include Early Archaic (Palmer), Late Archaic, Early Woodland (Dunlap), Middle Woodland (Cartersville), Late Woodland (Swift Creek), Early Mississippian (Woodstock/Etowah). Two major habitation sites [Sites 9GW24 (Early to Middle Woodland) and 9GW70 (Early Mississippian)] were identified. Testing of Site 9GW70 indicated Early Archaic and Woodland components in addition to a strong Woodstock phase presence at the site. Based on the survey and testing data, Sites 9GW24 and 9GW70 are recommended eligible for the NRHP. A third prehistoric site, 9GW92 is considered potentially eligible for the NRHP. The remaining prehistoric sites and the isolated find are considered ineligible for the NRHP. Historic resources include a cemetery, a house site scatter, a discard scatter and a spring box. The cemetery contains the grave of Matthew Strickland, the 19th century owner of a large plantation that included the River Moore property. The artifacts recovered from the house site, the discard scatter, and the isolated artifact find locations date from the middle 19th through the middle 20th century. The spring box is a 20th century feature. The Matthew Strickland Gravesite, Site 9GW91, is considered eligible for the NRHP. The remaining historic resources are considered ineligible for the NRHP.